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Corpus Christi Watershed

“A much greater source of anxiety to Us is the style of action of those who maintain that liturgical worship should shed its sacred character, who foolishly say we should substitute for sacred items & furnishings ordinary common things in daily use.” —Pope Saint Paul VI (14 Oct 1968)

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Views from the Choir Loft

Three Common Misconceptions about Chant

Andrew Leung · February 11, 2016

CTL 3 Common Misconception about Chant 1 S THE LENTEN SEASON begins, I am sure that many parishes are starting to use the Missa Jubilate Deo as the Mass Ordinaries setting. And there are also some churches that I know that sing the English chant from the Roman Missal. Both of those settings were mentioned in Bishop Doerfler’s Instruction. In the Instruction to his diocese, the Bishop of Marquette asked that Gregorian chant, both the Propers and the Ordinaries, be brought to parishes and schools. I think that Bishop Doerfler is taking is a very brave step to restore the sacredness of the Liturgy and to reintroduce people to the Catholic Tradition.

Bishop Doerfler has already addressed the most common complaint that one gets from parishioners: “I can’t sing along”. A lot of people like to participate externally and to be able to sing with the choir. (Regarding that, I think there is a deeper problem that has to do with “prayer”, but I will save that for another post.) The bishop’s Instruction requires the active participation of the faithful in singing along with the Ordinaries and the Communion Antiphon. He is also asking the diocesan music director to train other musicians in the diocese so that they can assist the faithful.So the people will “sing along” with the choir at intervals during ever Mass. However, it is my observation that many people still see Gregorian chant in negative ways because of three misconceptions they have. If we can clear up these misunderstandings, it will be much easier for people to fall in love with chant.

“Chant is slow and long” – This is a common perception. The congregation, and sometimes even the choir, tend to drag out the chant. Many people think that is the nature of Gregorian chant. My suggestion would be to set a pace that is close to the pace people would recite the phrases, don’t encourage long pauses between phrases, and to sing with good diction. If we sing well, Gregorian chant will not be perceived as tediously slow and drawn-out..

“Chant is plain and flat, they all sound the same” – I think this misconception arises from the overuse of a certain chant settings like Mass VIII and Mass XVIII. If your congregation is already comfortable with these settings, maybe it is time to try other settings. There are other beautiful chant melodies in the Kyriale. There are also a variety of psalm tones to choose for the Liturgy of the Hours or simple Propers. For the choir, you may consider working with them on the enunciation, like where the accented syllables are; or where to pause; or what needs to be lengthened. These changes should dispel the notion that all Gregorian chant sounds the same, while exposing the congregation to various beautiful settings.

“Chant is penitential” – As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, many parishes chant the Ordinaries of the Mass during Advent and Lent, the penitential seasons, and so many people connect chant to penance. Gregorian chant is not a penance! It is true that chant can express sorrow, but it can also express other emotions. For example, the Gloria and the Sanctus are joyful hymns of praise. This misunderstanding can be addressed in homilies or through catechesis in other ways. However, the best course is to sing chant outside of Advent and Lent.

TRULY THINK THAT people will accept and appreciate Gregorian chant more easily if we can dispel these three misconceptions. Please feel free to leave comments or share your suggestions on our Facebook Page.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Andrew Leung

Andrew Leung currently serves the music director of Vox Antiqua, conductor of the Cecilian Singers, and music director at Our Lady of China Church.—(Read full biography).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    Simplest “Agnus Dei” Ever Published
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. I needed a relatively simple “Agnus Dei,” so I composed this setting for organ & voice in honor of Saint René Goupil. It has been called the simplest setting ever composed. I love CARMEN GREGORIANUM (“Gregorian Chant”), especially the ALLELUIAS, INTROITS, and COMMUNION ANTIPHONS. That being said, some have pointed out that certain sections of the Kyriale aren’t as strong as the Graduale or Vesperale. There’s a reason for this—but it would be too complicated to explain at this moment.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C)
    Our choir is on break during the month of July. However, on the feasts website, the chants have been posted for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C), which is this coming Sunday: 6 July 2025.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Bugnini’s Statement (6 November 1966)
    With each passing day, more is revealed about how the enemies of the liturgy accomplished their goals. For instance, Hannibal Bugnini deeply resented the way Vatican II said Gregorian Chant “must be given first place in liturgical services.” On 6 November 1966, his cadre wrote a letter attempting to justify the elimination of Gregorian Chant with this brazen statement: “What really gives a Mass its tone is not so much the songs as it is the prayers and readings.” Bugnini’s cadre then attacked the very heart of Gregorian Chant (viz. the Proprium Missae), bemoaning how the Proprium Missae “is completely new each Sunday and feast day.” There is much more to be said about this topic. Stay tuned.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Pope Pius XII Hymnal?
    Have you ever heard of the Pope Pius XII Hymnal? It’s a real book, published in the United States in 1959. Here’s a sample page so you can verify with your own eyes it existed.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    “Hybrid” Chant Notation?
    Over the years, many have tried to ‘simplify’ plainsong notation. The O’Fallon Propers attempted to simplify the notation—but ended up making matters worse. Dr. Karl Weinmann tried to do the same in the time of Pope Saint Pius X by replacing each porrectus. You can examine a specimen from his edition and see whether you agree he complicated matters. In particular, look at what he did with éxsules fílii Hévae.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Antiphons Don’t Match?
    A reader wants to know why the Entrance and Communion antiphons in certain publications deviate from what’s prescribed by the GRADUALE ROMANUM published after Vatican II. Click here to read our answer. The short answer is: the Adalbert Propers were never intended to be sung. They were intended for private Masses only (or Masses without music). The “Graduale Parvum,” published by the John Henry Newman Institute of Liturgical Music in 2023, mostly uses the Adalbert Propers—but sometimes uses the GRADUALE text: e.g. Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul (29 June).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

“Angularis fundamentum” is typically sung at the dedication or consecration of a church and on church anniversaries. For constructions too numerous to list in recent generations, it would be more appropriate to sing that Christ had been made a temporary foundation. A dispirited generation built temporary housing for its Lord, and in the next millnenium, the ease of its removal may be looked back upon as its chief virtue.

— Fr. George Rutler (2016)

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